The Drive-By Wife

By: Mike Wells

Narrated by: Mark Torres

Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

In this explosive psychological thriller, Allen and Cynthia Hunt are a well-educated, upper middle-class San Francisco couple who experience the ultimate domestic nightmare. A deranged, seedy truck driver barges into their lives, blackmailing Cynthia into becoming his "drive-by" wife. Billy has led a lonely, bleak existence on the road and has always dreamed of "having him a beautiful, lovin' woman to come home to". Unable to go to the police, Allen and Cynthia desperately try to fight off the twisted stalker, who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. But the two have serious problems of their own. The story spirals into a tangle of deceit, deception, and murder. Can Allen and Cynthia unite and defeat the diabolical maniac from the hills, or will he destroy them both?

©2013 Mike Wells (P)2014 Mike Wells

A fantastic, nail-biting thriller!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Drive-By Wife to be better than the print version?

Its such a good story, that I think they would be equal. But, the audio does have a slight advantage because I truly believe hearing the story helps to experience the feelings and emotions of the characters in a way that you don't get from just reading it.

What other book might you compare The Drive-By Wife to and why?

I can't really think of a book that I've read that I could compare The Drive-By Wife to. However, the movie Joy Ride (with Paul Walker, where he goes on a road trip with his brother to see a girl and they cross paths with a crazy truck driver) did come to mind. Not so much the same concept.....BUT they did have the whole psycho truck driver thing in common.

Which scene was your favorite?

I can't say what my absolute favorite scene is because I'm afraid it would be too much of a spoiler!! But my second favorite scene would have to be when Allen and Cindy awoke to noises in their house, and Allen went downstairs to find Billy sitting in their kitchen. It was creepy and comical all at the same time.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Aside from getting a few hours of sleep, I pretty much did. And I liked it so much, I listened to it again.

Any additional comments?

Mark Torres was brilliant narrating this book! I live in Alabama, and Mark's portrayal of "redneck" Billy was perfect. And he went back and forth easily in dialogue between the Hunts and Billy. It was not confusing, and I actually could distinguish the differences between each person as he read. Thumbs up to Mike on an excellent story and Mark on an excellent job of telling it!

A Real Nail Biter

I received a free audiobook for an honest review.

I have read and listened to several of Mike Wells’ books and I always enjoy his stories and his writing style.

The Drive By Wife is suspenseful from the beginning. It has several twists and nail biting moments.

The narrator does a good job. I especially liked the pauses between sections. I’ve listened to books in the past when the narrator didn’t pause and it was confusing trying to figure out what happened at times.

I didn’t care for the main characters, Allen and Cynthia, at the beginning. They were in an unhappy marriage and didn’t treat each other well at all. As time went on, though, as things went out of control, they finally realized that still loved each other and by the time the book was finished they were like 2 different people. At the beginning they were ready to give up on each other and at the end they just hoped they’d be able to be together.

If you like suspense, you’ll definitely like The Drive By Wife.

THRILLER TO THE END!

What made the experience of listening to The Drive-By Wife the most enjoyable?

The narrator. This narrator made you feel like you were right there eavesdropping.

What other book might you compare The Drive-By Wife to and why?

The plot of this book was so unusual and fascinating, it is in a class of its own and not comparable to another book.

What about Mark Torres’s performance did you like?

As I said in my first comment, his narration is outstanding. I hope he narrates more of Mike's books.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Get set for the RIDE of your life.

Any additional comments?

I am a totally devoted fan of Mike Wells. I can't wait for his next book to be on Audible. If you haven't listened to any of his books, definitely try this one first. I guarantee you will want them all like me.

Time well spent

Would you listen to The Drive-By Wife again? Why?

The narration was understated and riveting. The story was unique, and original. The writing was slick and believable. It kept me guessing and awed at the twists.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved all of the characters, so I don't have a favorite. If anything I have a least favorite, and that's the wife, Cynthia. Throughout most of the story she's a little self-involved and doesn't really seem to appreciate the risks and personal liability her husband has been exposed to - even AFTER she planned to be unfaithful to him. But that's really just a nit-pick. She's a well-developed fully-realized personality with flaws, so - bottom line - she is who she's supposed to be.

Which scene was your favorite?

The most fascinating scene for me was the scene where the trucker comes over for the first date. I don't want to give spoilers, but the scene touched perfectly on each characters motives and reactions to each other.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It wasn't that kind of book.

Any additional comments?

The descriptions of the settings and the personalities of the characters were fleshed out in a perfect complimented pairing of narrator and author.

A great suspense read

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The Drive-by wife was a great listen. Mike starts off with an intriguing captivating scene that gets you intrigued and keeps you listening from the word go. As I have come to expect from Mike, he starts off with a great hook to kick off the book. The characters are well rounded, each with their own ways which makes them interesting. I enjoyed the character development throughout the book, as Mike peeled away the layers of each character in different ways

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Drive-By Wife?

I enjoyed the chapter where we learn were it all went wrong for Billy

What three words best describe Mark Torres’s voice?

Smooth, enjoyable, steady

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes I would. It would make a great movie

Any additional comments?

The Drive-by Wife was an enjoyable listen, although I preferred Lust, Money & Murder. This is a great book for people who enjoy suspense with a dash of romance.

LOVE MIKE'S WRITING!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! I love Mike's writing, he really knows how to tell a story...

What did you like best about this story?

When Cynthia and Allen finally pulled together there near the end....they were at odds with each other so much in this story...so I was like YES! Finally!

What does Mark Torres bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I am neutral on this narrator...he was fine...but not Awesome.....

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Ohhhhh this would be an exciting movie!!!

Any additional comments?

** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

I honestly love Mike's writing, this story was really interesting...Cynthia and Allen have a rocky marriage and one night Mike follows Cynthia who WAS about to cheat on him...well she gets attacked and he rescues her and uh oh....wrong place, wrong time! The attacker who Allen presumes dead, and tries to dispose of and ends up burying him alive...starts to stalk this couple and makes an arrangement to stop by every Tuesday to be Cynthia's play Husband...he leaves detailed instructions on food, dress and conversation....well things get really complicated...and actually really exciting...I was on the edge of my seat by the end...and am a little freaked out that the bad guy is still out there somewhere...well in book land....lol I RECOMMEND!!!!!

Thank You Audiobookblast(dot)com

My new favorite author!

Another excellent book! Mike Wells has outdone himself with "Drive By Wife". I love all of the plot twists, which keep you listening...Mike provided me with a free copy of the audiobook. I think I have a new favorite author. First time in quite a while I didn't have the ending figured out. Loved this book! Highly recommended!

Terrifying, Menacing, Traumatic

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Mike Wells is truly a master of the psychological thriller. He gets into the heads of the victims, the killers and the readers. He tells a gripping story of being stalked by a brutal gun-toting stranger who knows a terrible family secret and uses it to terrorize and have his way with an innocent woman. Lots of twists and turns with hope repeatedly melting into despair as one devastating mistake transforms a once-happy couple's life into a nightmare. How easy it would be to end up in this rat's maze of a predicament. Lots of breath-holding moments and heart thumping action. I could not stop listening to this gripping tale of being terrorized in your own home.

What other book might you compare The Drive-By Wife to and why?

Reminded me of the movies, The Talented Mr. Ripley meets Pacific Heights. Mr. Ripley takes over the life of someone who he envies and sets out to become that person. In Pacific Heights, a man who rents a couple's house proceeds to destroy it, similar to how the perpetrator in The Drive By Wife tries to take over the lives of the couple he targets and intends to destroy their marriage.

Which character – as performed by Mark Torres – was your favorite?

Billy, the bad guy, for sure. Great voice and acting. Mark was a great reader for this book. His voice brought all the action to life with enough variety and emotion in the reading to keep it interesting.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made my stomach tighten up in knots while I checked all my doors and windows before bed. If you like psychological thrillers, this is a really good one. Five stars all the way around. I'll read anything Mike Wells writes. As I've said before, the next Stephen King.

A thrill a minute!

Any additional comments?

The Drive-By Wife by Mike Wells is an instant thrill ride from start to finish and will keep you on the edge of your seat till the very end.
When wife, Cynthia decides she’s tired of being neglected by her workaholic husband, an idea to start an affair with a fellow student starts to look very appealing. Before the affair even begins, Cynthia is accosted by a would-be rapist but guess who comes to her rescue……her husband?!?! Unfortunately the couple’s luck turns from bad to worse. The couple is plagued with consequences from rash discussions and stalked by a trucker whom wants Cynthia for his very own. From blackmail to murder, will the couple survive or will this ultimately destroy them?
Filled with colorful characters and a series of unfortunate events, we follow the decline of a fledgling marriage and the hunt for a mysterious trucker as the story plows towards a climatic ending.
The author brings to life the spiraling decline of a loveless marriage but then throws in the twist of how one bad decision can completely change many lives in a moment then mix in the horror of a creepy stalker, it makes for a real awesome ride. I listened to this on audio book as a gift from the author and I must say, I absolutely loved the reading of it. The voice actor does a fabulous job of distinguishing the characters with wonderful voices and bringing life to the various characters as well as slowly building the suspense. If you’re looking for a story full of mystery, suspense and just great storytelling, give this book a try!

Quite interesting

And unexpected. I am not sure why is this book in the Audible escape category. There is no romance there whatsoever. Just a thriller, quite a decent one.